Datil Pepper (Capsicum chinense)

Datil Pepper (Capsicum chinense)

4.3
Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
3 Reviews
Regular price $19.95
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3 in stock

Pot Size

Spicy Gem of St. Augustine

Common Names: Datil Pepper
Family: Solanaceae
Origin: St. Augustine, Florida (believed to be brought from Minorca, Spain)

The Datil Pepper (Capsicum chinense) is a small, spicy heirloom chili pepper that packs a flavorful punch. Known for its sweet, fruity flavor with a heat level similar to habanero, the Datil Pepper is a staple in the cuisine of St. Augustine, Florida, where it has been grown for over a century. Despite its heat, which measures between 100,000 and 300,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the Datil Pepper is celebrated for its unique taste, making it ideal for hot sauces, marinades, and relishes. This versatile pepper is not only a local treasure but also a favorite among chili enthusiasts.

Distinctive Features, Uses, and Nutritional Value

Fruits: The Datil Pepper is small, measuring 1-3 inches in length, and ripens to a bright yellow or orange color. The peppers are known for their intense heat and fruity, tangy flavor, often compared to the habanero but with a slightly sweeter undertone.

Growth Habit: Datil Peppers grow as compact, bushy plants, reaching about 2-4 feet tall. They are highly productive, often yielding an abundance of peppers from late summer through fall.

Nutritional Value: Datil Peppers are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as capsaicin, the compound responsible for their heat. Capsaicin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolism-boosting properties.

Culinary and Medicinal Uses

Datil Peppers are commonly used in hot sauces, salsas, and marinades, adding both heat and flavor to a variety of dishes. They are a key ingredient in the cuisine of St. Augustine, often used in seafood dishes, relishes, and barbecue sauces. Despite their fiery heat, their fruity undertone makes them a versatile pepper for both savory and sweet applications.

Medicinally, the capsaicin in Datil Peppers has been used for its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and metabolism-boosting benefits. Regular consumption of spicy foods containing capsaicin is believed to support heart health and digestive health.

Plant Type:
Annual fruiting shrub

Harvest Season:
60-90 days after sowing 
Late Winter to Mid Summer

Mature Size:
2 ft. tall

Soil & Moisture:
Rich, well-draining soil with average watering. Do not overwater.

Light Requirements:
Full Sun

Self-Fertile: 
Yes

Growth Rate: 
Fast

Zone Hardiness: 
Outdoors 9-11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+ 

Propagation:
Our Datil Pepper Plants are grown from seed and are capable of fruiting within one growing season.
All of our plants ship in plantable coconut coir pots or recyclable nursery pots! Just pop them in the ground or reuse and recycle. Want to learn more about our plant sizes and how to grow them? 👉 Checkout the Full Guide Here

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4.3
Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
Based on 3 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 2 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
67%would recommend this product
3 reviews
  • C
    Christopher
    Rated 3 out of 5 stars
    4 minutes ago
    3 Stars

    Not thrilled getting just getting a slightly bigger seedling. I did however finally get my 1st flower to bloom 1 day ago. Plant isn't even but 6in tall. So the pepper will be tiny that it produces right now.

    Only giving a 3☆ due to it already blooming. If it wasn't for that it would have been a 2☆

  • VH
    Virgil H.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Years Gardening 1-5
    Grown This Variety Before? No
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 year ago
    Mutton Peppers also a name for this variety

    Plant came in good condition and is planted ............too small for fruit but i've got my fingers crossed.

  • JJ
    Jesse J.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Years Gardening 10+
    Grown This Variety Before? No
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 year ago
    So far, so good.

    Plants arrived in great condition and seem to be thriving in the garden. Can't wait to see if these are actual Datil peppers.

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